At Apa Villas, we are thrilled and honoured that you have chosen to stay with us.
We promise to do our utmost to ensure your time with us is more than wonderful.
Please take a few moments to browse through these notes, and get to know our beautiful seaside villa or inland plantation estate, historic Galle and Sri Lanka's gorgeous southern coast.
We very much look forward to serving you, and we wish you a blissful time as you share these special locations with us.

The Management and Staff of Apa Villas

Information A-Z

Apa Villa/Illuketia:
To savour Sri Lanka's superb hospitality, divide your time with us between Apa Villa's glorious beach retreat at Talpe, and the magnificent gardens of the historic Illuketia Estate, inland from Galle. We recommend our guests to make full use of the swimming pools, gardens and libraries of our two fine properties. Both are 5 km. from each other and connected via country lanes through picturesque villages and rice paddy. Hire a "Tuk-Tuk" three wheeler to take you there.

Air-Conditioning:
Each room is equipped with an air-con unit. However, we ask you to be sparing in its use and, to preserve resources, not to leave on whilst your room is unoccupied or its doors and windows are open. You can adjust the controls to find a suitable evening temperature if you wish to use whilst sleeping – we recommend 19-21º C with low-medium fan strength.

Babysitter:
A babysitter is on call if Mum and Dad want to enjoy a night out by themselves.

Beach:
Yes, it's gorgeous and inviting but be warned - it can be dangerous. When swimming, please be very careful of the rips and undertows along this coast. We advise you to wear protective footwear - old sneakers or wetsuit booties are perfect - in the reef shallows in front of Apa Villa. There are safe and sandy family beaches 2-3 km. toward Galle at Unawatuna, and 2-3 km. east at Habaraduwa. Further afield, the sheltered coves at Mirissa and Weligama's shallow bay are lovely spots to while away a day at the beach.

Dietary requirements
If you have special food requirements, please let us know. We will ensure that your meals are specially prepared.

Environment:
Surrounded by tropical flora, fauna and marine life, Sri Lanka is splendid, and we all want to keep it that way. Please enjoy and appreciate the beauty of Sri Lanka's natural environment and leave it as untouched as you can for the benefit of generations to come.
The island has its share of drought in several areas and water supply is affected in many sectors. Because of this we urge you to be mindful and use water sparingly. If you do not need a change of bath towels daily, please leave the towels on the rack for another day's use.

Electricity:
Each room at Apa Villa and Illuketia should have universal power adaptors available but if those provided don't suit your various gadgets, please advise our staff and we shall assist in getting you connected.
Low water level sometimes affects the country's hydropower supply and we experience power outages now and then.
Our staff will post information on hours of electricity cut-off on our Mirror Board.
Apa Villa has a dedicated generator which powers on after a few minutes. You will also find a torch light and candles in your room at both Apa Villa and Illuketia.

Galle and its Fort:
Apa Villa and llluketia are just 15 minutes from Galle, where you can spend the day meandering around the town and through the cloistered streets of the historic UNESCO-listed Galle Fort.
Many stylish boutiques, jewellery shops, smart cafés, a crêperie, souvenir stores are sprouting in the fort. The grand Amangalla formerly the New Oriental Hotel is worth a stop for a cup of tea. Other small hotels and guesthouses have opened adding to the attractions within the fort. Just outside the fort's ramparts is Galle's famous Test Cricket ground rebuilt after the tsunami of 2004. Wandering down Galle's Main Street and exploring the small shops for bargains is fun too.

Internet:
Both villas have wifi internet connection.
The password for wifi in Apa Villa Thalpe is apavillawifizone.
The password for wifi in Illuketia is ikwifizone.

Laundry:
You will find a laundry list in this guest folder. Place your personal laundry in the basket provided in the bathroom for washing by our in-house washer-ladies. An iron and ironing board are available for your use. Please ask your room steward.

Mealtimes:
Breakfast is served from 7.30 AM to 10.30 AM. Should you require an early breakfast before 7.30 AM we can offer a hot beverage and toasts with a variety of spreads. Please inform our stewards the evening before.
Our All Day Menu lists a good selection of snacks and light meals served from 11 AM to 5.30 PM. The menu is placed in your room for your convenience.
We serve a daily Dinner Special of a three-course or two-course meal planned to reward you with a culinary discovery of the famed Peranakan or Straits-Chinese food of Southeast Asia as well as Western favourites. Orders in by 2 PM please.
Our F & B manager is always on the lookout for the freshest catch and we are pleased to introduce the famous Singapore Chili Crab and a Seafood Celebration of seven-course dishes. Ask for the menus to place your order a day in advance.
Then, there is of course, our signature Rijstafel or Sri Lankan rice and curry featuring nine plates.
Dinner is served from 6.30 PM to 9.30 PM. Last order from the bar is at 9.45 PM after which the stewards will retire for the night.
Our security guards will close up after you return to your room at Illuketia.

Mosquito coils
These bugs are seasonal and may emerge for a snack before sunset. We provide you with coils, and recommend you use them at dusk. Each evening a mosquito coil will be lit on your veranda. Your mosquito net around your bed will be lowered in the late afternoon as your suite is prepared for the evening. If you prefer your room to be left untouched in the evening, please inform your room steward.

Security:
We have 24-hour security at Apa Villa and Illuketia. Our night watchmen patrol the entire villa grounds, so don't be alarmed. Late arrivals after 10 PM will be met by the security guards and led to their rooms.

Southern Coast:
Unawatuna, half-way between Apa Villa and Galle, is well known for its small beachside eateries and cheap backpacker-oriented places to stay.
Koggala Lake, 5km east of Apa Villa, is a haven for birdlife. It's fun to take a fishing catamaran across to Cinnamon Island just before sunset. Visit Ananda Spice Garden to learn the astonishing properties of plant life and buy spices and oils.
Weligama is a small fishing town set on a beautiful curved bay, 30 minutes south-east of Apa Villa.
Matara, the principal city of the 'Deep South' is 45-60 minutes drive south-east of Apa. It is known for its old Dutch Fort and broad corniche. Take a scenic coastal train ride from Thalpe Rail Station or Galle Main Rail Station to Matara for an amusing diversion.
Marissa is an hour's drive from Apa Villas and the place to catch a boat for whale-watching. Be prepared to race across the water to view the awesome creatures. For those inclined to motion sickness, fortify yourself with pills and ginger tea to overcome the roll of the ocean. Tours are seasonal.
Spa/massage/gym: Our local masseurs are experienced and recommended. Please let us know 12 hours in advance to arrange a massage for you. Nearby hotels Amangalla (in the Galle Fort), The Lighthouse Hotel and The Fortress (at Habaraduwa) offer spa treatments, for a fee. Temporary memberships or day passes to the well-equipped gymnasium at The Fortress are available.Sunburn:We advise you to apply high protection lotion to prevent burning and sunstroke. The sun is deceptively strong in the tropics, even on cloudy days.

Swimming Pool: Our world-famous infinity pools at Apa Villa and Illuketia are maintained daily. Please ensure that small children and those who cannot swim are not left unattended at any time. There is no lifeguard in attendance.

Telephone:
There are no telephone connections in our rooms. The phone and fax number at Apa Villa is 94- (0)91- 2283320. Illuketia can be reached by phone on 94 (0)91- 4381411 and by fax on 94 0(91)-4381410. Messages can be taken by the staff, and left in your suite if you are unavailable. Should you wish to make calls, please contact us at the office. International calls are charged at RS.100 per minute. Mobile phone roaming can be expensive in Sri Lanka, so we recommend buying local SIM cards from our office.

Tipping:
You may wish to leave staff a gratuity as you leave. You can do this directly, or forward a contribution to manager , who will ensure that it is divided fairly among staff.

Tours/Transport:
Galle and the surrounding Southern Province has many interesting locations; historical/cultural, wildlife, and ecological. We are happy to make any and all arrangements for you.

Towels:
Bath and pool towels are provided for your use, but for the sake of the environment please re-use them unless they are soiled. Towels are changed every two days. If you require a change, please leave your towel in the linen basket. The blue-striped towels are for pool and beach use; please do not take the white bath towels to the beach.

TV/Newspapers:
The English-language Sri Lankan newspapers are available locally. Please let us know if you would like a daily paper. Apa Villa's TV room is equipped with around 65 channels of news/movies/sport/variety/cartoons/etc provided by Dialog TV. Illuketia's TV area is upstairs adjacent to the billiard room.

Valuables:
Our staffs are trustworthy, loyal and long-serving, but you may wish to avail of our office safe for your valuables.

Water:
It's precious everywhere, and Sri Lanka is no different. Please use it sparingly. Our hot water is provided by solar power.

Water Sports:
Fishing, coastal cruises, sailing and river trips can be arranged through the Mirissa water sports centre. Please ask the staff to arrange this for you. Diving and snorkelling trips can be arranged in season at the nearby water sports centre, where instructors are qualified to international standards. For further details, contact the office.

Please do not hesitate to ask if you need further information.
Thank you